Beginner Questions...

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GuestGuest

Subject: Beginner Questions... Wed Sep 03, 2008 1:27 am

When would be the best time to introduce live plants to my tank? Is it possible to have plants without a light? The hood my tank came with is tinted, but transparent and has no place to hold a light. Or would it just be best to get a new hood?

What would be the safest way to introduce my fish to veggies and pellets? (gradually over several weeks or almost immeadiately, just changing foods?)

I read the articles about balanced diets and feeding veggies, I just need to know how to get started.

Hiya LRB. I am no means an exopert, but here's what I think I know :lol: .

You will not have much (if any) success with live plants in a tank with no lights. Even plants with low light requirements need some bright light during the course of the day, so some sort of light source is necessary.

You could either get a new lid with lights, or cover the tank with a clear perspex lid, and buy an external light source.

As for fishy diets, I think most people on here feed a mix of fish flakes, pellets, and veggies an a sort of alternate day basis.

Sometimes the fish need a bit of time to get used to some veggies, but my fish LOVE cooked broccoli, shelled garden peas, and cucumber. It's just a bit of trial and error and depends on what fish you have and what they like.

I have never used them, but most experienced aquarists say they cause more harm thank good. Fish can be left for a weekend without food no problems at all - they just forage in the gravel for bits that they missed the first time round!

Another quick question: is there any point to weekend feeders? I got a pack of four so my fish wouldn't starve when I'm away, but after reading some of the articles, I'm doubtful.

Don't use them - they do dreadful things to the water quality. If you're going away for a weekend, just feed the fish before you go and they'll be fine until you get back.

_________________No one falls in love by choice, it's by chance. No one stays in love by chance, it's by work and no one falls out of love by chance, it is by choice...

GuestGuest

Subject: Re: Beginner Questions... Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:49 am

Hiya LRB. I hope you have good luck with your plants. I tried to grow real plants but failed miserably! They all turned brown and squishy for some reason, and ruined my vision of having a lush green tank :lol:

Plants basically need three things - light, food and CO2. If you get the balance right, you get the nice green plants - although you can provide all of those things and still end up with your plants being eaten by the fish...

_________________No one falls in love by choice, it's by chance. No one stays in love by chance, it's by work and no one falls out of love by chance, it is by choice...